A Norfolk charity that nurses injured birds of prey back to the wild says it has been overwhelmed with support after issuing an urgent appeal to find a new home.

Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue has a hospital unit and rehabilitation aviaries at its current location near Dereham. Picture: Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue

Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue has been told it will have to move from its current rented base that includes a hospital unit and rehabilitation aviaries because the owner plans to sell the land.

The charity, which started in 2012 and now has a team of 22 regular volunteers, has been at its current location close to Reymerston, near Dereham, for two and a half years having outgrown its humble original base in a small garage in Hethersett.

Jo Daffin, founder of Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue which is looking for a new home. Picture: Sonya Duncan

Jo Daffin, who launched Phoenix and has overseen its growth despite working a night job as a carer, said: “The land that we are currently on is going to go up for sale which has forced us to move because we only rent it.

“We have had a great response already from social media. In less than 24 hours we have been offered four pieces of land which has been amazing.

Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue has nursed 70 injured birds back to health this year at its home in Dereham. Picture: Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue

“We are looking for about half an acre to rent but with a view to buy because obviously we don’t want to find ourselves in this situation again.”

The charity’s hospital has helped around 70 birds so far this year seeing 55 of those go back to the wild.

Rescue charity Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue has a team of 22 volunteers who nurse injured birds back to the wild. Picture: Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue

“We look after wild birds of prey usually car strikes or that have been injured by power lines or flown into windows, occasionally that have been shot or poisoned,” said Miss Daffin.

“At the moment we are caring for seven birds. Our aim is always to get the birds back into the wild, back to where they came from.”

Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue has beern inundated with offers of help to find a new home in Norfolk. Picture: Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue

The team of volunteers includes youngsters, one of whom is now training to be a vet nurse and another is looking to become a vet.

Miss Daffin said: “It is so rewarding when you nurse a bird back into the wild. We also try to keep the rapport going with the people who found the birds to see this injured bird that has been picked up and been cared for back where it should be.”

Find out more about Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue

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